"[S]everal of the pro se persons" sued by prenda "are of limited income and cannot afford the extreme financial hardship associated with" defending against baseless accusations. But I guess the kettle is an unknown instance.

It's already been denied to appear by phone. It looks like it was denied on the 8th. In the motion, he says the clerk told him to file this motion to appear by phone. Not only was it declined, they also point out that the clerk said no such thing.

I can't fault John too much, he's under a lot of stress right now. It seems that in Arizona there's a good chance he will be referred to the AG for prosecution of criminal copyright infringement. See this document and this order to show cause.

edit: maybe I'm being too hopeful. I suppose it's possible that the order written is the one presented by the attorney and that it doesn't have force yet. Although those have said "PROPOSED" on them with other filings.

So, I guess the disclaimer is, IANAL but this is sure fun to try to keep track of all of the pieces moving around with this thing.

[A]ttending a hearing in California is an extremely expensive proposition as it requires plane fare, a hotel room and other incidental expenses. [S]everal of the pro se persons in this matter are of limited income and cannot afford the extreme financial hardship associated with missing work and flying across the country on 3 days notice.

Your update is missing one major recent event. In response to Prenda's bizaare accusations about not being served Pietz and Ranallo have hired outside council to defend themselves. As a result they are requesting that Prenda be required to post additional bonds to cover their increased costs.

I know I shouldn't feel this amused by another person's hardship.....I shouldn't but god help me I do. There is a certain Karma kick to the nuts going on here that is just so refreshing. Too many times in this world the jerk always comes out on top....finally an example where they are getting what they give. Its so sweet that an Ice Wine should be named the Tears of Prenda.

The estate of Orville Redenbacher should be paying royalties to Prenda for keeping this legal case going.

Jokes aside, the idea that what is essentially an extortion ring which likely reaped millions can't afford airfare and hotel rooms is so ludicrous that I can't wait to hear Judge Otis "Mjolnir" Wright's response to Prenda's latest shenanigan.

I know I shouldn't feel this amused by another person's hardship.....I shouldn't but god help me I do. There is a certain Karma kick to the nuts going on here that is just so refreshing. Too many times in this world the jerk always comes out on top....finally an example where they getting what they gives. Its so sweet that an Ice Wine should be named the Tears of Prenda.

Don't feel bad because this makes me feel awesome!! I love when that vicious circle comes back around with vengeance.

They deserve everything they get and more because when you go around fucking people it will come back to bite you in the ass.

"[A]ttending a hearing in California is an extremely expensive proposition as it requires plane fare, a hotel room and other incidental expenses," Steele wrote, adding that "[S]everal of the pro se persons in this matter are of limited income and cannot afford the extreme financial hardship associated with missing work and flying across the country on 3 days notice."

Maybe you should have thought about this possibility before entering into this sham business model.

Perhaps the Judge should take pity on these poor penniless fools and offer to help them. I'm sure that we, the courts of California, and we kind people on the internet could find some kind of cattle car filled with plenty of cattle droppings that Mr. Steele could be dragged into and shipped across country in. I mean, he's already a master of it figuratively, why not literally?

As amusing as I find the Prenda saga.... I find the whole thing disturbing.

"Common sense" and logic dictate that this bunch of lawyers are scamming "us". They ARE engaging in predatory behavior and victimizing people. They're hiding behind legal chicanery and in general, are scamming our justice system, at large, in order to profit and save their own butts.

What kills me is that we're even playing this game, this whole song and dance, with these dirtbags. Jusge Wright at least has attempted to halt this foolishness. As this rolls forward though, I am getting more and more of the mindset that I want to see these clowns in jail, with their whole apparatus shredded. Something forceful enough that will break these sociopaths.

Perhaps the Judge should take pity on these poor penniless fools and offer to help them. I'm sure that we, the courts of California, and we kind people on the internet could find some kind of cattle car filled with plenty of cattle droppings that Mr. Steele could be dragged into and shipped across country in. I mean, he's already a master of it figuratively, why not literally?

I've got a simpler solution. Have the US Marshals transport Steele, et al to the nearest Club Fed location and house them there for the next few years and then provide govt transport to/from court as required.

As amusing as I find the Prenda saga.... I find the whole thing disturbing.

"Common sense" and logic dictate that this bunch of lawyers are scamming "us". They ARE engaging in predatory behavior and victimizing people. They're hiding behind legal chicanery and in general, are scamming our justice system, at large, in order to profit and save their own butts.

What kills me is that we're even playing this game, this whole song and dance, with these dirtbags. Jusge Wright at least has attempted to halt this foolishness. As this rolls forward though, I am getting more and more of the mindset that I want to see these clowns in jail, with their whole apparatus shredded. Something forceful enough that will break these sociopaths.

While I agree with you, It's the way the system works. A good test of how much you believe in a system is how well you stick to it even when the system seems to be protecting those whom you vehemently disagree with. See Freedom of speech.

The only lawyers I know of that cannot afford to travel across the country on 9 days notice are those who graduated from law school last week and have not yet been hired for their first case.

Exactly.

Plus, Steele's argument ....

"[A]ttending a hearing in California is an extremely expensive proposition as it requires plane fare, a hotel room and other incidental expenses," Steele wrote, adding that "[S]everal of the pro se persons in this matter are of limited income and cannot afford the extreme financial hardship associated with missing work and flying across the country on 3 days notice."

How should this even be a factor if he's REPRESENTING someone? It shouldn't be an issue if he's representing a plaintiff that is trying to pursue damages. He could include these as part of the damages on behalf of the plaintiff. he could always charge the plaintiff for these costs. it's called "billing". He can itemize these things and issue them as expenses to the firm he's *ahem*... "representing".

I think the statement is somewhat revealing of the true nature of his relationship to his "client".

As amusing as I find the Prenda saga.... I find the whole thing disturbing.

"Common sense" and logic dictate that this bunch of lawyers are scamming "us". They ARE engaging in predatory behavior and victimizing people. They're hiding behind legal chicanery and in general, are scamming our justice system, at large, in order to profit and save their own butts.

What kills me is that we're even playing this game, this whole song and dance, with these dirtbags. Jusge Wright at least has attempted to halt this foolishness. As this rolls forward though, I am getting more and more of the mindset that I want to see these clowns in jail, with their whole apparatus shredded. Something forceful enough that will break these sociopaths.

While I agree with you, It's the way the system works. A good test of how much you believe in a system is how well you stick to it even when the system seems to be protecting those whom you vehemently disagree with. See Freedom of speech.

You're right. Still, in the end, I'd love to see the full weight of the law come down on these guys for what they've done.

"[A]ttending a hearing in California is an extremely expensive proposition as it requires plane fare, a hotel room and other incidental expenses," Steele wrote, adding that "[S]everal of the pro se persons in this matter are of limited income and cannot afford the extreme financial hardship associated with missing work and flying across the country on 3 days notice."

...

I think the statement is somewhat revealing of the true nature of his relationship to his "client".

If the pro se persons have a problem, then THEY should be the ones objecting, not Steele. He's made it abundantly clear that he has the means. Oh, and the "missing work"? Isn't that "work" the subject on trial?

I bet their money is in a bank drawing interest, and the longer they delay payment, the more interest they're earning.

At the current 0.1% interest rates? I doubt they're making much. They probably invested it somewhere else. Maybe in a strip club where they threaten to tell your family you're there if you don't pay a second cover.

"[A]ttending a hearing in California is an extremely expensive proposition as it requires plane fare, a hotel room and other incidental expenses," Steele wrote, adding that "[S]everal of the pro se persons in this matter are of limited income and cannot afford the extreme financial hardship associated with missing work and flying across the country on 3 days notice."

...

I think the statement is somewhat revealing of the true nature of his relationship to his "client".

If the pro se persons have a problem, then THEY should be the ones objecting, not Steele. He's made it abundantly clear that he has the means. Oh, and the "missing work"? Isn't that "work" the subject on trial?

IANAL, but I'm pretty sure "pro se" means "representing one's self" - there's no one for Steele et al to bill those expenses to, unless they're each going to bill themselves, and then turn themselves over to collections for non-payment.

(I bet they'd figure out a way to make another small fortune threatening to sue themselves for self-impersonation, then settling out of court for slightly less than the cost of an effective self-defense.)

The only lawyers I know of that cannot afford to travel across the country on 9 days notice are those who graduated from law school last week and have not yet been hired for their first case.

Exactly.

Plus, Steele's argument ....

"[A]ttending a hearing in California is an extremely expensive proposition as it requires plane fare, a hotel room and other incidental expenses," Steele wrote, adding that "[S]everal of the pro se persons in this matter are of limited income and cannot afford the extreme financial hardship associated with missing work and flying across the country on 3 days notice."

How should this even be a factor if he's REPRESENTING someone? It shouldn't be an issue if he's representing a plaintiff that is trying to pursue damages. He could include these as part of the damages on behalf of the plaintiff. he could always charge the plaintiff for these costs. it's called "billing". He can itemize these things and issue them as expenses to the firm he's *ahem*... "representing".

I think the statement is somewhat revealing of the true nature of his relationship to his "client".

He doesn't have a "client" in this case. He is being ordered to show up due to it being a shell company but he is not representing any company in this current suit.

Steele is likely not looking to win the War just to wrest some control from Wright and will do whatever he can to subvert the proceedings including not appearing or sending a proxy to stand-in that cannot or is otherwise unable to answer questions... My bet is the bizareness is set to expand. It would seem Steele regards himself as beyond reach (still) and seeks to disrupt the balance of power. Not to win utterly but to show he can continue to make it painful... a powerful but supremely dangerous and potentially expensive tactic...

Steele is likely not looking to win the War just to wrest some control from Wright and will do whatever he can to subvert the proceedings including not appearing or sending a proxy to stand-in that cannot or is otherwise unable to answer questions... My bet is the bizareness is set to expand. It would seem Steele regards himself as beyond reach (still) and seeks to disrupt the balance of power. Not to win utterly but to show he can continue to make it painful... a powerful but supremely dangerous and potentially expensive tactic...

IANAL but since he has been ordered to show up in court if he fails to appear in person (or send a lawyer?) can he be charged with contempt of court and have an arrest warrant issued?

While I agree with you, It's the way the system works. A good test of how much you believe in a system is how well you stick to it even when the system seems to be protecting those whom you vehemently disagree with. See Freedom of speech.

The only lawyers I know of that cannot afford to travel across the country on 9 days notice are those who graduated from law school last week and have not yet been hired for their first case.

Then I'm guessing you don't know many lawyers. The perception is all lawyers are one percenters, but that is hardly the case. Sure, there are plenty of rich lawyers out there, but they are definitely not the majority. There are plenty out there making 5 figures. 2011 US average is $113,310. And when you factor in, similarly to doctors, many have student loans in the $100k-$200k range, with the national average hovering right around $100k. That really puts a hurt on the ol' paycheck. Additionally, the legal industry was really impacted by the recent economic downturn, and the number of lawyers is outpacing the number of law jobs.

Not defending these guys, just saying your overall outlook on the industry in uninformed at best.

IANAL, but my wife and many of our friends are, and only one of them is making over $100k, and if we had to drop everything and fly out to CA for a few days with little notice, it would not be easy on the finances for us.